Development and characterization of a graded, in vivo, compressive, murine model of spinal cord injury

grantor: University of TorontoIn order to take advantage of various genetically manipulated mice available to study the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) we adapted an extradural clip compression injury model to the mouse. The dimensions of the modified aneurysm clip blades were customized for application to the mouse spinal cord. Three clips with different springs were made to produce differing magnitudes of closing force (3g, 8g and 24g). The clips were calibrated regularly to ensure that the closing force remained constant. The surgical procedure involved a laminectomy at T3 and T4, followed by extradural application of the clip at this level for one minute to produce SCI. Three injury severities (3g, 8g and 24g), sham (passage of dissector extradurally at T3-4) and transection control groups were examined (n = 12/group). Quantitative behavioural assessments were done using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) and Inclined Plane (IP) tests. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)M.Sc